van_96

I understand that they have the right to not renew it for whatever reason they want, but I was more hoping to find out if it really ever happens to students who don't fall into categories like the one you mentioned (ex. academic dishonesty/performance). As in, if I maintain a decent GPA and don't violate any rules, how confident should I be that they'll renew the offer? Thanks to you or anyone else who can answer!

Both my decision and funding letters were just posted to my portal, but that was for MPP, so maybe DSPP funding will come out later? Also, my funding only listed information for the first two semesters, and Georgetown's site says that offers are decided on a year-to-year basis and aren't necessarily renewable. Does anyone have more information about that? They gave me a good offer for the first year, but I wouldn't want to accept it and then find out they're not offering me anything for the second year.

Just thought I'd ask if anyone has any insider info on when results will be coming out for the first round, since I couldn't find anything in past threads. Anyone know if they just all drop on the 15th, or do they trickle in before that?

Yeah, imo they should at least publish 5-year averages. The fact that we don't even know the ballpark for nearly any top programs is kind of absurd. Like you said, could be 5% (or less), could be 20% (or more). I understand that they fluctuate from year to year, but surely an average of 5/8/10/whatever years is better than literal radio silence since 2010.

Just in case anyone else was wondering about the CEG fellowship, I asked in an email, and the admissions office said they wouldn't pick the candidates until the spring.

I applied for a CEG fellowship but there was no mention of it in my acceptance letter or financial aid offer. Does anyone know if that means I definitely didn't get it? Or do those decisions/information come separately? I won't be mad if I didn't get it, but I expected a straightforward yes or no.

Applying EA as well, thanks for the inside info! It'd be great to have good news to share with the fam on Turkey Day.

In case anyone hasn't seen, the application is now available and the deadline is December 8th: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/admissions-aid/masters-program-admissions/how-apply

They have a schedule here: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/admissions-aid/masters-program-admissions/admissions-events/virtual-sessions They do several versions of every type so hopefully one will fit your schedule!

I was just in an HKS virtual information session and they said it would be up in early to mid October, so hopefully they push the deadline back as well.

I don't really have any knowledge on the topic, but I would imagine it's probably a combination of the terrible location (both from a weather/culture perspective and a career perspective) compared to other top schools as well as the perceived decrease in prestige in the Syracuse brand vs names like Harvard/Princeton/Columbia. I think Indiana is pretty high on a lot of rankings too and suffers from similar issues.

Thank you @GradSchoolGrad! Don't think I've ever been called dangerous before, haha. And yes, HKS>Harris>Duke in terms of their fit for me was my thinking as well. Also agree about think tanks, when I interned there it was made pretty clear that non-PhDs usually only stay there for a couple of years and then move on to the public sector/other nonprofit work, but I'd be fine doing that. Thanks for the tips on federal government inroads as well. I'll be sure to take a look at those.

Hi everyone, long time lurker, all that nonsense. Any advice is welcome! Applying to: Chicago Harris MPP, Georgetown McCourt MPP, Duke Sanford MPP, Harvard Kennedy MPP, NYU Wagner MSPP (and American as a backup if I don't get accepted w/ a decent aid offer from Georgetown or Harris, since they're the ones that release results before American's deadline) Undergrad institution: Non-HYP Ivy Undergrad Major: Government, Minor in Public Policy Undergrad GPA: 3.81 (haven't calculated major GPA separately, but it's probably pretty close) Years out of undergrad: 1, will be 2 by the time classes start next fall. Quant Background: College credit for AP Calc, intro micro (B)/macro (A) econ, intro stats with R (A-), Mathematics in Politics (logic and slightly game theory-focused course, A), plus some light Stata training in an internship. Relevant Work Experience: Research internship with a high profile think tank in DC, interned with a local campaign, the NY state assembly, and an NYC DA, been a constituent liaison in NYC ever since I graduated undergrad last year. GRE: 165/167/5.5 (Verbal/Quant/AWA) Strength of LOR: I think all three should be decently strong. Two are from college professors who taught research methods courses that I did well in, the other is from my current supervisor. Strength of SOP: Should be good, I talk about how important voting rights and reform (my current focus area) have been to me from a very young age, how it influenced my extracurriculars in college, and customize them by discussing how I plan to use the tools/unique policy centers/connections from each school to further my career. Extracurriculars/Leadership: I was elected to the executive board of one of my school's largest political clubs, and I helped to train volunteers on a campaign I interned for. My plan could change, but for now I picture myself working in a think tank in DC and/or the federal government, so I ruled out every school west of the Mississippi. I admire Harris's strong quant/econ focus and career development reputation (and they've already waived my application fee completely unsolicited, so they've already earned some brownie points with me), Georgetown's location, analytical strengths, and networking opportunities with local nonprofits/think tanks, and Duke's strength with social policy, relative proximity to DC, smaller cohort size, and great reputation. I have family I could live with in NYC while I go to school, but only for 2021-2022, hence the choice of the one-year MSPP over MPA at NYU. Plus, I feel like that program would be a better fit anyway, as the MPA seems relatively public management-focused, and I prefer more behind-the-scenes analytical roles, though the recent formation of the program and resulting small alumni network gives me some pause. Lastly, I know Harvard is a stretch, but I've already decided that Princeton would be too much of a pipe dream, and I'd like to include a not-completely-insane reach. HKS's Institute of Politics really interests me, and the value of the brand and alumni network goes without saying. Also, I'm hoping the high GRE quant score makes up for the B in intro micro (took it over winter break, very dumb decision), the lack of advanced quant coursework, and the almost complete absence of any quant exposure in my work experience. I know applications will probably be very competitive this year, and just generally unpredictable, but any sort of correction or reassurance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!